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I-FABP is decreased in COVID-19 patients, independently of the prognosis.

Authors :: Guedj K
Uzzan M
Soudan D
Trichet C
Nicoletti A
Weiss E
Manceau H
Nuzzo A
Corcos O
Treton X
Peoc'h K
Source :: PloS one [PLoS One] 2021 Apr 15; Vol. 16 (4), pp. e0249799. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Apr 15 (Print Publication: 2021).
Publication Year :: 2021
Abstract: Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is frequently associated with gastrointestinal manifestations. Herein we evaluated the interest in measuring the intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP), a biomarker of intestinal injury, in COVID-19 patients.<br />Methods: Serum I-FABP was analyzed in 28 consecutive patients hospitalized for a PCR-confirmed COVID-19, in 24 hospitalized patients with non-COVID-19 pulmonary diseases, and 79 patients admitted to the emergency room for abdominal pain.<br />Results: I-FABP serum concentrations were significantly lower in patients with COVID-19, as compared to patients with non-COVID-19 pulmonary diseases [70.3 pg/mL (47-167.9) vs. 161.1 pg/mL (88.98-305.2), respectively, p = 0.008]. I-FABP concentrations in these two populations were significantly lower than in patients with abdominal pain without COVID-19 [344.8 pg/mL (268.9-579.6)]. I-FABP was neither associated with severity nor the duration of symptoms. I-FABP was correlated with polymorphonuclear cell counts.<br />Conclusions: In this pilot study, we observed a low I-FABP concentration in COVID-19 patients either with or without gastrointestinal symptoms, of which the pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical impact remain to be established. Further explorations on a larger cohort of patients will be needed to unravel the molecular mechanism of such observation, including the effects of malabsorption and/or abnormal lipid metabolism.<br />Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.